It's unlikely someone would try and take down a >10kV powerline though

The simplest sollution to that is for the telco to absolutely go after the theif to the level that they not only press criminal but also civil charges against them for the loss of income, dirsuption, costs etc etc. It'd make people think twice about doing something so ridiculous.

In the case of the railway signalling cables, those responsible could be charged with far more serious offences as it endangers life! (potentially)

It must be very hard to explain where you got 1 tonne of outdoor telephone line though!!

Near where I live, there are some power lines on wooden poles, I think they are 33kv. The local hoodlum regularly throw weighted rope over them and one or 2 lines breaks. I would hesitate to touch the end but ill bet that someone will try to steal cable this way.

18 months ago, we had some 500mm transformer tails stolen. At the time we werent bothered about the cable but we had made off the ends and couldnt get new ends at the weekend. (you can tell Im not an electrician - techincal terms!)

I took my time, I hurried up, The choice was mine, I didn't think enough